Multiculturalism

Holly Brew-Multiculturalism
Why Multicuturism is Wrong is an article that challenges the reader to consider the idea that mulitculturialism, as we know it here in the U.S., may be the source of our social problems and only a temporary idea. It appears Europe is one step ahead of the U.S. when it comes to handling its issues with immigrants. The author claims that multiculturalism limits freedom and possibility. He goes on to explain how, in some countries, it legitimizes racism and inequality. He specifically identified the Netherlands. The world multicultural is “systematically used as the opposite to equality”. In the Netherlands, African immigrants clean toilets, and upper middle class Dutch are in prominent positions, such as doctors and lawyers. In every case he cited, the author seemed displeased with the concept of multiculturalism. I agree that the idea can be taken to extremes, but rather than just complaining about it, what does he suggest they do? How does the nation show respect to the newcomers? How should they go about teaching these new folks the customs and traditions of their new nation? How about language issues? As I asked in a previous paper, what do these immigrants really want? Do they want to come to this country to continue speaking in their native tongue? As the author noted in this article, it’s unlikely. The author notes that, in many countries, the concept of multiculturalism simply means that moral obligations have been met; it does not mean equality for all.

Michael R. Olneck, a professor of educational policy studies and sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, contends that, "Mexican-Americans and Puerto Ricans who support bilingual education in schools are part of a continuum of immigrant groups who have made the transition to learning English while also retaining their ethnic identity. Latino immigrants, he writes, "appear akin to late 19th-century Germans in welcoming the public schools' assistance in language maintenance." He adds that Latinos today don't expect full developmental bilingual education. Rather, a limited program for Spanish speakers in the elementary grades, such as what Cubans have in Miami, is satisfactory to them."
He notes, however, "that Asians tend to oppose bilingual education."

The Pithissippi Burning article is, in my view, a write-up by a disgruntled white man. What kind of human being spends his time keeping up with hate literature? What kind of hobby is that? He’s whining that our new president hasn’t created the “post racial” society that he talked about during his election campaign. Should Obama spend his time today worrying about the few haters in the world, or should he focus his time on, more pressing issues, like the economy? The author could benefit from spending a few minutes each day focusing on some of the positives this country has to offer and maybe even a weekly session with a counselor. The United States has its share of flaws, but is it really that bad? It seems to me this great nation allows us to choose our own path, and those who don’t like the choices they’ve made would prefer to point the finger at others rather than hold themselves accountable for their failures. What do you think?

The Challenge of Multicuturalism’ In How Americans View the Past and Future written by Samuel Taylor raised several interesting points about the purpose of American public schools. He states, “The purpose of American public education has never been to simply impart knowledge. One of its central goals has been to make children into Americans. “ Is this all bad? As I mentioned on the discussion board, immigrants come to this great nation with the hope of a better life. Should we continue to educate these people in their native tongue? What good would that do them? Should we incorporate their cultures into our school system? If so, how and to what extent should it be incorporated?

Take a look at what the governor of California thinks. “You’ve got to turn off the Spanish television set,” Arnold Schwarzenegger stated recently at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention, many of whose attendees write for Spanish-language media. According to California’s governor, that’s the key to learning English. "Schwarzenegger’s advice suggests that Spanish-speaking immigrants are not learning English, or at least not fast enough."

Let’s turn the table for a moment. If my family and friends moved to Japan, would it be acceptable for us to whine to the Japanese Board of Education that they aren’t teaching Japanese history to our liking? Would we have the right to demand the textbooks take a different viewpoint because we see World War II from a different perspective? Would we have the right to demand that their schools become more Americanized? If just a thousand of us moved to Japan and started baulking, people would laugh at us. Let’s make that number bigger. Let’s say a million of us moved to Japan. Is that enough? How about 5 million? Is multiculturalism a numbers thing? After reading all of these articles and reading the responses from my classmates on the discussion board, I have a better understanding of the frustrations and concerns that various stakeholders have on how and what’s being taught in our public schools. What happened to the old saying. I think it goes something like this , “ When in Rome, do as the Romans’ do”. Why doesn’t this apply to the immigrants coming to our nation? If I moved to Japan, I certainly wouldn’t expect Japan to change its textbooks or Americanize its classrooms. How is this any different?

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2009/04/what_do_immigrants_want_from_s.html

http://www.imdiversity.com/Villages/hispanic/dialogue_opinion_letters/nam_arnold_0607.asp